News

Saturday News, March 28

(Le Mars) -- Jonathon Neunaber, the Akron man accused of killing his mother last July, appeared in Plymouth County District Court Friday morning. Neunaber's attorney requested that evidence gathered during Neunaber's arrest in Wisconsin be suppressed. The defense attorney contends Neunaber did not have legal counsel present when he was questioned by authorities, and therefore anything that was said during the questioning period should not be allowed. Neunaber's attorney is also asking the clothing that Neunaber was wearing that contained blood stains should not be admitted as evidence. Plymouth county attorney Darrin Raymond offered as evidence the audio and video tape of the Neunaber interview, along with a written transcript. Judge Steven Andreasen informed both attorneys he would review the interview video tape, and consider the request and offer his opinion at a later date. Raymond asked Judge Andreasen if he were to find any particular issues of concern that he would notify the county attorney and ask for additional information in the form of legal briefs. No date was given as to when Judge Andreasen will submit his ruling, and no new date has been set for Neunaber's trial.

Two Sioux City Men Caught Stealing Copper Wire

(Le Mars) -- The Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched Friday to 29524 K-22 rural Hinton, Iowa. A caller advised he saw two males at this property and they were removing wire from the residence and did not believe they should be on that property. When officers arrived they found two male subjects sitting inside a blue in color Nissan setting behind a machine shed. When officers approached the vehicle they could see a large roll of black coated copper wire in the back seat of the vehicle.

When questioned, the parties advised that they had permission from the owner to be at the property and remove these items. This property was destroyed by fire several months ago and had been vacated. The owner of the property was contacted, and he advised that they did not have permission to be on the property nor to remove any items.

Arrested were 32 year old Anthony Hageman of 607 So Fairmount Street, Sioux City, Iowa and 34 year old Matthew Sanem of 1509 Orleans Avenue, Sioux City, Iowa were charged with Trespassing and Theft in the 4th degree. Both subjects were taken to the Plymouth County Jail. Trespassing is a simple misdemeanor and theft in the 4th degree is a serious misdemeanor.

Woodbury County Sheriff Faces Lawsuit For Death Of Inmate

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) - A wrongful-death lawsuit has been filed against the Woodbury County sheriff and other officials, saying their failure to treat a jail inmate for substances abuse withdrawal led to his death more than two years ago.

The federal lawsuit was filed by Tony Josta, of Homer, Nebraska, representing the estate of his son, Anthony Josta. The lawsuit says 35-year-old Anthony Josta "was subjected to defendants' deliberate indifference to his medical needs."

Anthony Josta was found dead in his cell on March 26, 2013, three days after his arrest on a warrant for contempt of court.

Woodbury County Sheriff Dave Drew says he welcomes the chance to offer sworn testimony in defense of the jail's procedures and explain the conditions and decisions officers face daily.

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Family Dispute In Maurice Involves A Gun

(Orange City) -- The Sioux County Sheriff’s Office was called to Maurice Tire & Repair in Maurice on Thursday afternoon for a disturbance involving a gun. Sheriff’s deputies report that Sandra Holtrop, age 62, her husband, Daryl Holtrop, age 64 and their son, Isaac Holtrop, age 32, all from Maurice, were in Maurice Tire & Repair, a business they operate.

Sandra stated that her son-in-law, Shawn Hathaway, age 39, from Maurice, arrived at the business in a very agitated state. He argued with Sandra, Daryl and Isaac inside the business establishment over some family business before he was told to leave. Hathaway left the building and went to his vehicle, which was parked on the street in front of the business. He took out a shotgun from the rear seat and got in his vehicle, where he loaded the gun. Not knowing what Hathaway’s intentions were, Daryl and Isaac Holtrop immediately rushed to the car to restrain him while Sandra Holtrop called 911.

Upon arrival, officers found Daryl and Isaac Holrop restraining Hathaway inside his vehicle. Hathaway was now unconscious; the officers immediately began rescue efforts. Hathaway was taken to the Sioux Center Hospital by the Sioux Center ambulance where he was transferred to Mercy Medical in Sioux City by helicopter. Hathaway remains in serious condition. The case is still under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office.

Winnabago Industries To Expand

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - Motor home manufacturer Winnebago Industries says it plans to buy a building in Waverly to expand production as demand increases.

CEO Randy Potts says the company, one of the nation's leading recreational vehicle sellers, is buying a 33,400-square-foot building to move wire assembly work from its main factory in Forest City. About 70 workers will be added. Potts says Waverly is within 100 miles of the company's Forest City plant, which will make transportation of parts cost efficient.

Purchase and start-up costs for the Waverly building are estimated at up to $2 million.

The company says it has had difficulty finding enough workers in the Forest City area and the Waverly location should make recruitment easier. It is just 21 miles north of Waterloo.

Firefighters closed East Fifth Street between Grand and Locust streets for about an hour.

A postal inspector also responded and that the FBI would investigate the letter.

It wasn't clear whether the powder was being tested.

Newton Attorney Has Law License Suspended

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - A Newton attorney can no longer practice law after the Iowa Supreme Court revoked her law license citing numerous cases of unethical conduct that included taking money from clients without completing work on their cases.

The state's attorney disciplinary board filed a complaint against 42-year-old Machelle Crum last July alleging six counts of ethical violations. The case was referred to the high court for final determination of punishment.

The court in Friday's order found that in several cases Crum accepted money for attorney services, stopped taking client calls and refused to return their money.

The justices say there's no place in the legal profession for attorneys who misappropriate client funds.

Crum's law office telephone number has been disconnected and she appeared to have no listed home telephone number.

Iowa Workforce Development reported Friday that the rate was down from 4.2 percent in January. Iowa's unemployment rate has been relatively stable, with the February number down a bit from the 4.4 percent rate a year ago.

The national jobless rate in February was 5.5 percent.

There were 70,100 unemployed Iowa residents in February. That's a decline from 71,800 in January.

(Des Moines) -- Almost one in every three Iowans is obese, according to the latest rankings, and what we're drinking can be just as fattening as what we're eating. Carol Voss, a registered dietician and a nutritionist with the Iowa Department of Public Health, says just one 12-ounce soda contains around 150 calories and 40 grams of sugar, which in itself is more than the daily recommendation. It's much worse for the 20-ounce pops.

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A state survey in 2012 found that 72-percent of Iowans consumed between one and three sugar-sweetened beverages daily. For women, it was 67-percent and 77-percent for men. Voss says a campaign called "Rethink Your Drink" is urging Iowans to consider cutting out at least some of those sweet drinks and trading them for water or a non-sweetened tea.

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Drinking one soda a day can equal an extra 25 pounds of weight per year. The latest "State of Obesity" report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation finds 31-percent of all Iowans are obese, the 12th highest rate in the country. Sugar-sweetened beverages are the largest source of added sugar in the American diet, and that contributes to things like obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Friday News, March 27

Neunaber Expected To Appear In Court For Hearing

(Le Mars) -- Jonathon Neunaber, the Akron man accused of killing his mother last July, is expected to appear in Plymouth County District Court later this morning. Neunaber's attorney will request that evidence gathered during Neunaber's arrest in Wisconsin be suppressed. The defense attorney contends Neunaber did not have legal counsel present when he was questioned by authorities, and therefore anything that was said during the questioning period should not be allowed. Neunaber's attorney is also asking the clothing that Neunaber was wearing that contained blood stains should not be admitted as evidence.

Collision At Intersection C-38 And K-49

(Le Mars) -- The Le Mars Fire-Rescue Department responded to a two vehicle accident at the intersection K-49 and C-38, yesterday at about 5:43 p.m. The Fire-Rescue Department assisted removing a patient from a Jeep Grand Cherokee and also stopped fuel that was leaking from the vehicle. A second vehicle that was a Kia Sorento was also rendered safe. The Fire-Rescue Department cleaned up debris from the scene. Also at the scene was the Le Mars Ambulance, Plymouth County Sheriff, Le Mars Police, and the Iowa State Patrol.

Head On Vehicle Accident Causes Injuries

(Akron) -- A head-on vehicle accident occured Thursday morning at about 9:45 a.m. on Highway 3 near Akron. 19 year old Amy Lubeck of Cherokee was traveling west on Highway 3 heading towards Vermillion, South Dakota when her vehicle crossed the center line and struck a car being driven by 33 year old Jill Nielsen of Elk Point, South Dakota. Lubeck was transported to Mercy Medical Center of Sioux City, while Nielsen and her one year old daughter, Gabrilla were taken to Unity Health Care St. Luke's in Sioux City.

Museum Trying To Raise Money To Save Log Cabin

(Le Mars) -- Efforts are underway by a group calling themselves "Friends of the Joy Hollow Log Cabin" to raise enough funds to save the 115 year-old cabin from the wrecking ball at the Plymouth County Fairgrounds. Recently the Plymouth County Fair Board authorized the Plymouth County Historical Museum Board to attempt a rescue of the historic cabin. The fair board is calling for a specific plan by April 9th, the date of the next fair board meeting. The cabin must be removed from the fairgrounds before June 1st. The "Friends of Joy Hollow Log Cabin" are distributing pledge forms throughout the county and wider area in hopes of having a substantial amount of money raised by April 7th. Grant Hanstein of Le Mars serves as a director with the Plymouth County Historical Museum and is one who would like to see the log cabin saved.

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Hanstein says the log cabin has a rich history and it should be preserved.

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Some people are asking why the museum wishes to save the log cabin when there already is another log cabin featured at the museum.

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Hanstein says donations and pledges can be dropped off at the Plymouth County Historical Museum.

Spring Fever Antique Show And Flea Market Begins Today

(Le Mars) -- If you have an interest in antiques and collectables, you may want to check out the Spring Fever Antique Show and Flea Market at the Le Mars Convention Center. Co-chair for the event, Linda Mayrose says the annual antique show continues to expand, and it has proven to be quite popular.

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Mayrose says the show draws both vendors and attendees from at least a four state area.

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More than 60 booths will fill both floors of the Le Mars Convention Center for the two-day event. Mayrose offers a glimpse of what attendees can expect to see at this year's antique and flea market show.

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The event's co-chair talks about the antique style trends that will be present during the show.

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The Spring Fever Antique Show and Flea Market will start with an early bird shopping party at 5:00 p.m. on Friday and will continue until 9:00 p.m. Friday evening. Saturday's show hours are from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Friday's admission price is $10 which includes hor d'overs, and the admission price for Saturday is just $3.

Remsen St. Mary's To Hold "Then Feed Just One" Event

(Remsen) -- Remsen St. Mary's students, faculty, and several volunteers from the Remsen community hope to pack 125,000 meals today as part of the "Then Just Feed One" program. The meals contain rice, vitamins and minerals, and a soy protein. One bag is capable of feeding up to six people. The meals, once they are packaged and sealed will be destined to Honduras. This is the second year the Remsen St. Mary's is participating on the "Then Feed Just One" program. The event scheduled for today will be at the Remsen St. Mary's Vern, Dan, and Joey Bunkers Memorial Gym and will begin at 10:00 a.m.

Expanded Medical Marijuana Bill Passes Senate

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - An effort to expand access to medical marijuana in Iowa is moving forward in the Democratic-majority Iowa Senate, though it is unlikely the bill will find favor in the Republican-controlled House.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee on Wednesday approved a bill that would make medical marijuana available to people with a number of chronic diseases, including cancer, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy. Those approved by a doctor could then purchase marijuana products produced in Iowa at state-run dispensaries.

Last year, the Legislature approved a law that allows some residents with epilepsy to use oil with an ingredient derived from marijuana for treatment. But the law did not establish an in-state program for the production and distribution of the oil. Critics say that as a result, the law is effectively useless.

Utilities Board Director Reports Possible Conflict Of Interest

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - Governor Terry Branstad's pick to chair the Iowa Utilities Board is acknowledging she has a potential conflict in a hotly-contested case on whether to build a major oil pipeline.

Geri Huser's brother has represented farmers who oppose the $3.8 billion pipeline that would transport crude oil from North Dakota across Iowa. In December, he sent a letter to the board objecting to the project on letterhead listing his sister as one of the firm's attorneys.

Huser said Thursday she knew that her brother was representing landowners facing eminent domain, but was unaware it was linked to the pipeline. She said she didn't know about the objection letter until The Associated Press inquired.

Huser says she hasn't decided whether she'd be able to participate or if she'll have to step aside.